https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/all-dmv All-DMV en-US Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:15:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-maryland-virginia-high-school-football-players-week-3 Noah Ferguson This weekend’s standouts included a two-way playmaker from South Lakes and a hyper-efficient running back from B-CC. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:15:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-maryland-virginia-high-school-football-players-week-3 Week 3 of the high school football season featured a full slate and several high-profile matchups. Here are five players that turned in exceptional performances in their teams’ wins:

Joshua-Benjamin Dagbe, Junior, Defensive Back, South Lakes

Dagbe was one of the brightest stars in South Lakes’ momentous 34-12 win over Virginia Class 6 power Battlefield on Thursday. The defensive back, who also plays wide receiver for the Seahawks, nabbed an early interception and returned it 48 yards to the house to give Coach Jason Hescock’s team some early momentum. Dagbe then pulled down two touchdown catches on offense and racked up 160 scrimmage yards as South Lakes stunned the Bobcats. Through three games, Dagbe has seven total touchdowns and two interceptions.

Gabe Hudgens, Senior, Wide Receiver, Theodore Roosevelt

The senior wideout has already started building a strong resume for DCIAA Player of the Year. In a thrilling comeback victory over Digital Pioneers Academy on Friday, Hudgens tallied 172 receiving yards and two touchdowns as the Roughriders stormed back from an early 16-point deficit to earn a 29-28 victory. “I don’t see many teams that can stop him one-on-one,” Coach Chris Harden said of Hudgens. “I think teams are going to have to put two or three guys on Gabe, because Gabe is a monster out there on that field.”

Akeem Jervis, Senior, Quarterback, Largo

Jervis torched Glen Burnie in more ways than one in Largo’s 50-34 win last week. The senior rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown and threw for 123 yards and two more scores as the Lions poured it on against a Glen Burnie team that advanced to the Maryland 4A state quarterfinals last season. Coach Derron Thomas’ run-heavy offense finished with 336 rushing yards.

Aiah Mbayo, Senior, Running Back, Bethesda-Chevy Chase

Mbayo produced a handful of explosive plays to help key Bethesda Chevy-Chase’s 50-36 victory over Blair on Thursday. The senior made the most of his eight carries, running for 152 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He added a third touchdown with a 98-yard kickoff return as the Barons brushed off last week’s gut-wrenching loss to rival Churchill with a huge offensive showing.

PJ Sutherland, Senior, Running Back, Westfield

Sutherland found the end zone three times in the Bulldogs’ 35-28 win over Langley on Friday. His first came in the first half, when he hauled in a deep pass over his shoulder for a 56-yard receiving touchdown to give Westfield a two-score lead. Sutherland’s second touchdown was equally impressive — with his team clinging to a one-score lead deep in the second half, he burst through a horde of Saxon tacklers for a 10-yard touchdown run. His final score, a 23-yard jaunt to the end zone with just minutes left in the fourth quarter, gave the undefeated Bulldogs a nice cushion.]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dmv-high-school-volleyball-players-of-the-week Noah Ferguson Our first group of the season features standouts from West Springfield, Bishop O’Connell and Marshall. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:15:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dmv-high-school-volleyball-players-of-the-week A new fall season marks a fresh start for the D.C. area’s top high school volleyball programs. With the slate wiped clean, local powers have begun jockeying for position. The season is already in full swing in Virginia, while matches are just getting underway in Maryland and D.C. Here are three players who have made strong early impressions:

Anna Dierks, Senior, Setter, West Springfield

The Spartans are on a quest to repeat as Virginia Class 6 champions after earning the first state crown in program history last season. Dierks, who brought a steadying presence to West Springfield’s attack during its title run, is one of several key returners for coach Stephanie Noriega’s team. With Dierks back at setter for her senior season, West Springfield got off to a 6-0 start, dropping just one set. In that span, Dierks averaged 9.4 assists per set and amassed 25 serving aces.

Against fellow Class 6 contender Marshall in late August, Dierks dished 35 assists in a dominant three-set sweep. Many of those assists were lobbed to senior Milena Kibret, who racked up 15 kills. With Dierks commanding the offense and a plethora of size and versatility on the block, the Spartans look more than capable of defending their title.

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Macie Murray, Senior, Outside Hitter, Bishop O’Connell

The Knights are one of the buzziest teams in the area this season, thanks to a roster that is loaded with Division I talent. Murray, O’Connell’s veteran outside hitter, is off to a dazzling start this season. The senior averaged 4.2 kills per set and hit at an efficient .528 percent clip through the team’s first six matches.

The Knights kicked off their season with a 3-0 sweep of fellow Washington Catholic Athletic Conference contender Holy Cross, then swept each of their opponents at the Virginia Volleyball Showcase over the weekend. Murray, sophomore setter Carolyn Maria and freshman outside hitter Nadia Wooten were each named to the all-tournament team.

Ayla Sayd, Senior, Outside Hitter, Marshall

Sayd notched double-digit kills in each of Marshall’s first seven matches of the fall, announcing herself as one of the most potent offensive threats in the area early this season. The 6-foot-1 senior, who is committed to Elon, amassed 111 kills in 23 sets played to get the Statesmen off to a 6-1 start.

The team is under new leadership this season with coach Allie Selznick taking over the varsity program — and with Sayd anchoring the Marshall attack, the Statesmen look poised to make a Virginia Class 6 run. ”Even from last year to this year, she’s grown tremendously,” Selznick said of Sayd. “She’s really come into her own [and] become a powerhouse.”]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-maryland-virginia-high-school-football-players-week-2 Noah Ferguson This weekend’s standouts included a bruising back from Gonzaga and a ball hawk from C.G. Woodson. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:05:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dc-maryland-virginia-high-school-football-players-week-2 With Maryland public schools kicking off this past weekend, high school football season is officially in full swing in the D.C. area. Here’s who made their mark in Week 2:

David Anderson, senior, quarterback, Theodore Roosevelt

With Anderson under center, the Roughriders’ offense exploded in a season-opening 40-15 victory over KIPP. The senior torched the Bulldogs, passing for 252 passing and three touchdowns. He also added a fourth score on the ground as Roosevelt kicked off a new year with a statement victory. Anderson’s connection with senior wide receiver Gabe Hudgens could make for one of the strongest combinations in the city as coach Chris Harden’s team looks to bounce back from last year’s dramatic playoff loss to Dunbar.

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Asheton Burton, senior, running back, Gonzaga

After a slew of early turnovers Thursday against Coolidge, Gonzaga’s offense needed a spark. With the game still scoreless midway through the second quarter, the Eagles handed the ball to Burton, the team’s bruising running back, nine straight times and the senior marched his team down the field. Burton scored from 2 yards out for the game’s first points, then pulled off a second-half hat trick with three more touchdown runs as Gonzaga rolled to a 33-0 victory. Burton’s final touchdown run of the night was arguably his most impressive as he bulldozed his way through a horde of Coolidge defenders for a 14-yard score.

Corey Smith Jr., junior, wide receiver, Good Counsel

The Falcons earned their first win of the Sal Gorgone era in thrilling fashion Friday, turning New Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic away at the goal line in the closing seconds of the game to seal a 41-39 win. Smith, a towering 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver whose Division I offer list includes Maryland and Virginia Tech, caught three touchdowns and racked up 131 receiving yards. “What a beautiful athlete,” Gorgone said of Smith after the win. “He’s a playmaker, and he makes those plays in clutch moments.”

Darren Theobald, senior, defensive back, C.G. Woodson

Theobald pulled down three interceptions for the Cavaliers in Thursday’s 28-7 victory over Edison. The first came on the game’s opening drive, when the senior grabbed an Eagles pass in the corner of the end zone to squash Edison’s momentum. The second came with the game knotted at 7 in the third quarter, and it was followed by a long Woodson touchdown drive. Theobald’s busy night peaked in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a 33-yard receiving touchdown at wide receiver before switching to defense and snatching a third pick to clinch a victory. Theobald and the Cavaliers will look to replicate their defensive performance next week against Oakton, whose high-powered offense is averaging 49 points per game.

Jamie White Jr., senior, defensive back, Quince Orchard

It didn’t take long for White, a senior transfer from St. Frances, to make an impact with the Cougars. In his first game, the defensive back nabbed an interception on the first play from scrimmage. It would be his first of three on the night. The Cougars, two-time defending Maryland 4A champions, earned their 28th straight victory with a 28-0 win over Paint Branch. With White and three-star senior Rico Jackson patrolling the secondary and senior Pittsburgh commit Jaheim Bond wreaking havoc up front, coach John Kelley’s defense is again among the area’s best.

To nominate a local player for next week’s roundup, send us an email with their name and stats. See last week’s selections here.]]> https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dmv-high-school-football-players-of-the-week Noah Ferguson An Eastern linebacker and a Bullis freshman are among the standouts from Week 1. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:10:00 GMT https://www.washingtonsun.com/sports/dmv-high-school-football-players-of-the-week The high school football season has officially kicked off in the D.C. area, and a new crop of local talent has already begun to emerge. This past weekend marked the start of a new year for public programs in the city and in Northern Virginia. Many of the region’s private schools also played their first games. Next week, Maryland publics will join the party. Here are five players who stood out in Week 1:

Austin Barber, Senior, Wide Receiver, DeMatha

The Stags opened their Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title defense with a 35-14 statement win over Archbishop Spalding Friday, and Barber made his mark with two game-changing plays. The senior wide receiver first hauled in a 45-yard touchdown pass with a defender draped on his back, helping give DeMatha an early edge against the Cavaliers, four-time defending champs in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. He later returned a punt 42 yards for his second score as the Stags pulled away for their 22nd-straight victory and first under interim head coach Bryce Bevill, who took over for longtime coach Bill McGregor this offseason.

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Kevin Coates, Senior, Athlete, Alexandria City

Coates did it all for Alexandria City in a surprising 21-7 victory over Lake Braddock. The senior split time between quarterback and wide receiver on offense, racking up 126 all-purpose yards and catching a touchdown in the third quarter. On defense, he nabbed an interception as the Titans scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to notch their first victory over Lake Braddock since 2008.

Kyron Gaskins, Senior, Linebacker, Eastern

Gaskins shined in his first start as a Rambler after transferring from DeMatha this offseason. The senior was the anchor of a defense that manhandled New Town in a 29-6 Eastern victory. The Ramblers, who won the D.C. State Athletic Association AA crown for the first time ever last season, will look to contend for another city crown with sophomore quarterback Nijel Hubbard taking over for his brother, Jeremiah, under center.

Deylen Jones, Senior, Athlete, Oakton

The Cougars wasted little time flashing their offensive firepower in a 49-7 rout of Edison. Jones, a Harvard commit, put on a performance to remember. He totaled 221 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns, including a 99-yard touchdown run through the heart of the Eagles’ defense. The dominant performance marked the program’s first victory under new coach Said Aziz, who is looking to take the Vienna program to new heights in a loaded Concorde District.

Kyree Marshall, Freshman, Running Back, Bullis

Marshall burst onto the scene for the Bulldogs Saturday in his varsity debut. He gashed Bishop Ireton for 153 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries as Bullis earned a 49-14 victory. With Marshall in the backfield, coach Skyler Springs’ team scored more points than it did in any game last season.
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